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For the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, Visa is the exclusive payment service in all stadiums where payment cards are accepted. In-stadium, fans can pay with contactless Visa credit and debit cards and mobile payment services at the more than 3,500 point-of-sale terminals and 1,000 mobile concessionaires that have been equipped with the latest in payment innovation. (Photo: Business Wire)

July 13, 2018 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa (NYSE: V), the Official Payment Services Partner of FIFA, today
released an analysis of spending inside the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™
stadiums from the opening match on June 14 through the semi-finals on
July 11. The data highlights the increased consumer adoption of
innovative payment technology, as fifty percent of purchases with Visa
in tournament venues utilized contactless transactions, including cards,
mobile devices and wearables.

Visa cardholders on average spent 1,408 rubles (approximately $23.00)
per transaction inside the stadiums throughout the tournament, with fans
from Russia spending the most, followed by United States and Mexico,
respectively. The largest average individual purchases were seen on
in-stadium merchandise (4,200 rubles; approximately $68.00), Fan Fest
merchandise (3,300 rubles; approximately $53.00) and in-stadium food and
beverage (800 rubles; approximately $13.00).

“Visa’s sponsorships enable us to showcase the latest in payment
innovation on a global stage,” said Lynne Biggar, chief marketing and
communications officer, Visa Inc. “Visa cardholder spending data during
the FIFA World Cup™ illustrates the growth of contactless payments in
Russia and fans’ reliance on quick and secure payments so that they can
spend less time in line and more time focused on the pitch.”

Of the 62 matches played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ thus far,
the opening match between the host nation and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki
Stadium had the highest payment volume, with fans spending over 55
million rubles (approximately $900,000). Of the total spend at the
Opening Match, 69 percent came from Russian citizens and 31 percent came
from non-Russian citizens.

“The Russian payment industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation and
has seen huge growth,” said Ekaterina Petelina, country manager, Visa
Russia. “Through our partnership with FIFA, Visa is focused on providing
fans in Russia with new ways to pay, while advancing our business in
market.”

Top Spending Nations

The ten countries whose fans spent the most inside the FIFA World Cup™
stadiums on their Visa cards were as follows:

Russia: 750 million rubles ($12 million)

United States: 188 million rubles ($3 million)

Mexico: 94 million rubles ($1.5 million)

China: 67 million rubles ($1.1 million)

Argentina: 41 million rubles ($700,000)

Peru: 35 million rubles ($560,000)

England: 34 million rubles ($550,000)

Brazil: 28 million rubles ($500,000)

Colombia: 26 million rubles ($420,000)

Australia: 25 million rubles ($400,000)

In-Stadium Spending

The opening match on June 14 -- where fans from 123 countries filled the
stadium -- saw the highest volume of payment transactions. The July 1
match between Russia and Spain saw the second highest volume of
transactions during the tournament.

On average, in-stadium transaction amount for all 62 matches was 1,168
rubles (approximately $19.00). Russian fans on average spent 1,090
rubles (approximately $18.00) on in-stadium purchases throughout the
FIFA World Cup™ while international guests attending the tournament
spent 1,915 rubles (approximately $31.00).

Top Stadium Purchase Volume

The five FIFA World Cup™ stadiums where fans spent the most on their
Visa cards include:

Luzhniki (Moscow): 533 million rubles ($8.6 million)

Saint Petersburg: 208 million rubles ($3.3 million)

Samara: 125 million rubles ($2 million)

Sochi: 117 million rubles ($1.9 million)

Spartak (Moscow): 114 million rubles ($1.8 million)

Top Fan Fest Purchase Volume

The five FIFA World Cup™ Fan Fest watch party venues where fans spent
the most on their Visa cards include:

Luzhniki (Moscow): 251 million rubles ($4 million)

Saint Petersburg: 38 million rubles ($615,000)

Kazan: 11 million rubles ($170,000)

Samara 8.8 million rubles ($141,000)

Sochi: 8.5 million rubles ($136,000)

Cashless from Kick-off to the Final Match

For the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, Visa is the exclusive payment
service in all stadiums where payment cards are accepted. In-stadium,
fans can pay with contactless Visa credit and debit cards and mobile
payment services at the more than 3,500 point-of-sale terminals and
1,000 mobile concessionaires that have been equipped with the latest in
payment innovation.

About Visa

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our
mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable
and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and
economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet,
provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable
of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The
company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid
growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind
the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world
moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products,
people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more
information, visit About
Visa, visacorporate.tumblr.com and @VisaNews.

Visa Data: Transactions were analyzed on Visa cards, which were made in
12 stadiums in 11 host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ for the period
from June 14 to July 11, 2018, inclusive.